Hi, folks. I am by no means an experienced or knowledgeable mechanic, and last year my rear axle stripped out on a long drive. A buddy of mine, who does a lot of work on his own 4X4 vehicle, offered to help me fix it.
I have a 2002 Chevy S-10 ZR4 Crewcab, that as far as I know was all stock. When my buddy and I worked on fixing the rear axle, he decided that we should install a rear axle from a ford ranger. He said that they were stronger and that it should work fine.
So after the hassle of getting new holes put into my hubs so my wheels would fit with the new rear end, we discovered that the e-brake line wouldn't hook into the rear axle, and the axles wouldn't fit either. I've called some local shops to see if they would do the work of getting the rear shocks installed and the e brake adapted, but no one I've called thus far would do it.
I guess what I'm looking for is some ideas on how to get this all fixed. Should I keep trying to find a way to get the e-brake and rear shocks adapted, or should I try to find an S-10 rear axle. Any ideas on this would be much appreciated, because I really feel like a fish out of water right now.
Blown up rear axle, led astray...
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eternalheathen
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HenryJ
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Cut your losses and look for a used axle correct for the application.
Swapping axles is not as simple as it might seem. There are plenty more problems that you have not yet found. The ABS and proportioning valve would be next in line.
I have been buying complete low mileage (80k and less) axle assemblies for $450
Your buddy was probably right , in that the Ranger axle may indeed be stronger. Matching the gear ratio should have been the first check. Then all the spring pad locations and orientation, U-joint matching, pinion centerline. You already addressed the wheel bolt pattern, and mentioned some of the brake problems you have found already. If you plan to continue this route , be aware that you have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Your profile does not list a location. I can't say for sure where the right axle is, but you sure can check here to find one: http://car-part.com
I see prices ranging from $300 to $1000
Swapping axles is not as simple as it might seem. There are plenty more problems that you have not yet found. The ABS and proportioning valve would be next in line.
I have been buying complete low mileage (80k and less) axle assemblies for $450
Your buddy was probably right , in that the Ranger axle may indeed be stronger. Matching the gear ratio should have been the first check. Then all the spring pad locations and orientation, U-joint matching, pinion centerline. You already addressed the wheel bolt pattern, and mentioned some of the brake problems you have found already. If you plan to continue this route , be aware that you have only seen the tip of the iceberg.
Your profile does not list a location. I can't say for sure where the right axle is, but you sure can check here to find one: http://car-part.com
I see prices ranging from $300 to $1000
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